the bush tax cuts part 2 became law in 2003. republican congressmen and senators voted 272-3, that's 99%, to cut taxes and protect family incomes. in contrast democrat congressmen and senators who now say they are for protecting family incomes voted 245-9, an eye popping 96% against american families and for higher taxes. unfortunately senate democrats had enough votes to prevent the bush tax cuts from being permanent. but for these senate democrats, america would not be facing a fiscal cliff today. president obama in a radically different congress controlled by house speaker nancy pelosi and senate majority leader harry reid revisitted the bush tax cuts. in two separate votes in february, 2009, and december, 2010, democrats could have increased taxes on the wealthy if they really believed that what they now say. did they raise taxes on the wealthy? no. why not? democrats could have permanently protected lower and middle income families there higher taxes if democrats really believed what they now say. did they? no. why not? mr.